Expedia Group has revealed the top trending holiday destinations for 2027, with South Lake Tahoe in California leading the list. Search data for flights and accommodation shows traveller interest surging for the US resort city, followed by Hyogo in Japan and Punta del Este in Uruguay.
Search data highlights top 10
Between 1 September 2025 and 27 July 2026, compared with the same period a year earlier, searches for South Lake Tahoe rose by 195%. The city in the Sierra Nevada mountains is described as ideal for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as skiing and scenic hiking trails.
Hyogo, Japan, saw searches increase by 95%, placing it second, while Punta del Este, Uruguay, came third with a 65% rise. The destinations appear in Expedia and Hotels.com's “Unpack’27: The Trends in Travel” report, which outlines destinations and travel behaviours expected to shape the coming year.
Surprise UK entry and other trending spots
Other places in the top 10 include Sedona, Arizona, USA (up 55%), Busan, South Korea (up 50%), and Holbox, Mexico (up 45%). Perugia, Italy (up 35%), The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia (up 35%), Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada (up 35%), and Chichester, UK (up 30%) also feature.
Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Travel is about creating memories, and Unpack ’27 uncovers the destinations and experiences shaping those moments. In 2027, travellers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them.”
Travel trends shaping 2027
The report polled 26,000 global respondents, including 2,000 from the UK, who have ever been on holiday and intend to travel in the next three years. Adults from 16 countries took part, including the UK, USA, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Norway and Sweden.
Both the research and search data were used to determine 2027 trends, including ‘2027 Destinations of the Year’, ‘Un-Adulting’, ‘Trip Snacking’, ‘Gothic Getaways’ and ‘The 2027 Set-Jetting Forecast’.
‘Un-Adulting’ emerged as 57% are “likely” to book an over 18s trip to an amusement park next year, rising to 71% among Gen Z and Millennials. For UK travellers, these trips are about having fun and enjoying a carefree day out (74%), spending quality time with loved ones (64%), and taking a break from everyday responsibilities (60%).
The ‘Trip Snacking’ trend comes as searches via Hotels.com for one-night stays between Thursday and Sunday increased by nearly 10% during the past 12 months. The poll found 79% of travellers plan to book a one-night stay in the coming year, climbing to 83% among Gen Z and Millennials. Reasons include attending concerts, shows and sporting events (49%), celebrating life milestones (42%), and wanting a break between ‘normal’ holidays (23%).
‘Gothic Getaways’ emerged as 65% are interested in booking a Gothic-style hotel in 2027, rising to 71% among Gen Z and Millennials. Among the 54% of UK travellers interested, 51% prefer historic hotels, castles, or properties with a rich past, 41% enjoy destinations associated with folklore or the supernatural, and 40% find the dramatic architecture appealing.
Finally, ‘The 2027 Set-Jetting Forecast’ comes as searches for Monaco spiked by more than 120% in the 30 days after Emily in Paris season six was confirmed to be filming there. It emerged that 18% have booked a trip after seeing a destination on television or in films, and 46% of those who watch TV or films have researched or booked trips to places featured in yet-to-be-released shows and films, rising to 58% among Gen Z and Millennials. On average, UK respondents would spend £600 to visit a set location, increasing to £629 for those with children.
Ariane Gorin added: “We’re making it easier to discover, plan, and book the right trip, so travellers can spend less time managing the details and more time enjoying the moments that matter.”
